Boone went with Williams for the eighth because he was saving David Bednar to pitch the ninth if the Yankees went ahead, or in a tie go with Mark Leiter Jr., who just came off the injured list Tuesday. Why Williams there? Besides blowing saves in his last two outings, he’d pitched to a 7.71 ERA in seven appearances since July 19.

The Yankees quickly had Mark Leiter Jr. and David Bednar warming in the bullpen, but Aaron Boone stuck with Williams to face the lefty-swinging Rowdy Tellez, who battled for a 10-pitch at bat that ended in a two-run single to center.

Williams entered in a scoreless game in the eighth and gave up two runs to the Rangers. The Yankees managed only two hits.